Toronto Education

Accountants have a variety of tasks that they carry out. In fact, there is a lot more to the job of an accountant than being busy during tax season! Accountants carry the primary responsibility for financial records, make sure the appropriate taxes are paid by their deadlines and oversee efficient use of funds and related tasks. They also work closely with clients in preparation, explanation and verification of any financial paperwork. Accountants may even help consumers to go over budgeting and to make plans for future investments. Since accountants are interested in figures, let’s look at their career by the numbers. Most accountants made between $42,520 and $71,960 a year in 2006. The lowest-paid accountants earned less than $34,470, while the highest-paid earned $94,050 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

However, in order to enter the field of accounting, interested parties must a post-secondary undertaking such as Centennial College’s three-year Business Accounting Program, which will get them on the right path to obtaining the skills and qualities of an accounting professional. Not only does the program give students an extremely strong base in accounting related topics, it also helps them to develop problem solving, communications, mathematics, analysis and other business skills.

This is achieved through a variety of courses such as: Financial Accounting (an overview of the financial reporting process, concentrating on the recording process and the production of financial statements), Strategies for Business Success (emphasis is on the development of effective learning and study habits, research techniques and self-management strategies), Small Business Software (enhances skills in the analysis and recording of financial accounting transactions), Management Accounting (in-depth knowledge of fundamental cost accounting techniques for use in a manufacturing and service environment), and many others.

These courses are conducted in lab environments that are fully equipped with an integrated network of computer systems so any computer courses are hands-on, allowing students to develop proficiencies with industry standard accounting software such as Simply Accounting and ACCPAC for Windows and SAP.

Students of the Accounting Programs may be eligible for substantial transfer credits if you they to pursue the Certified General Accountants (CGA) professional qualification. Lastly, qualified graduates may be eligible to participate in an articulated program with selected universities, institutes and professional associations. These partnerships allow graduates to apply academic credit towards further study. The business accounting program’s partners are Athabasca University, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Certified General Accountants Association of Ontario and Hawaii Pacific University.

To apply, students must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older during the application process. They must also possess the compulsory English 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11C, M or U or 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent.